A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: I am really enjoying writing this, and I hope you are enjoying reading it. Once the backstories are in place, I will be able to push the plot forward. I don't have a full plan set out yet, but there are going to be a lot of major surprises down the way, don't you worry about that. This is only the beginning for these characters and this story, I hope you enjoy where I take it in the future.

I would love to hear your opinions on the story, and how I can improve it. Any reviews I receive would help greatly to keep me on track and consistent in publishing this for all of you.

Chapter 4: House Ingerman

Fishlegs

"SON, GET UP! GET UP NOW!" The bright line blinded me as I awoke, only dimmed by the large presence that was now looming over me, large hands clenched on my shoulders. As his voice echoed through my ears, I tried to shake him off, tried to roll over and get back to sleep.

"What time is it father? It surely isn't time for training yet." I grumbled, trying again to roll over and get back to sleep. My father's hands were now vices, gripping so tightly it felt like his thumb was pressed right to the bone. "You're hurting me, let go."

"Son, listen to me, you are in danger, we need to leave. NOW!" He yelled again, as he began to pull me up and out of the bed. As my eyes finally adjusted, I saw the look of terror on his face. As I sat up, I felt his grip loosen and I eased my self out of the side of the bed. My dad handed me a set of clothes, most of it was plain and dull, a far reach from the vibrant colours I've been so used to wearing. "Put these on now. HURRY!" He yelled at me, at the same time frantically averting his gaze to check the door and then back to me.

"What's going on, why do I need this?" I asked, as I slid the outer layers on. I bent down to put the shoes on, but as stood back up I felt the wind being knocked out of me.

"What's this for?" I huffed, as I pushed the pack he had shoved into my chest away.

"No time an explanation son, we need to go." He grunted, forcing the pack into my chest again with even more force this time. Without a second's hesitation, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the door. My father lead the way, sword out in his hand, with five men that were waiting outside the door shielding us, as we headed deeper into the castle. Outside of the comfort of the castle's upper floors, it was only then that I smelt it. The fire, the blood, the stench of death. It only truly hit me wile reaching the end of the corridor and looking down at the courtyard below. The sound of clashing swords, only drowned out by the shrieks and screams of the dying men, falling in dozens. There was death everywhere, the fallen banners of house Ingerman dropping down and being drowned in the pools of blood of our men. I pulled away from the railing, the horrors of just a few seconds engraved in my mind. I stumbled back, grasping onto my father's arm to keep me from falling. He looked at me with a look of despair, and of defeat, before grabbing my arm again and pulling me to the side.

"THIS WAY!" My dad pointed to the stairs and we followed. Down the dark staircases and through the dim corridors. The screams echo through the castle behind us, the sound of footsteps growing ever louder. The clattering of boots against the stone, and the sound of voices were so close now, or were they far away. My dad had told me stories of war, of how friends for decades drew swords against each other. This couldn't be war, this must be a dream, must be a nightmare. Wake up Fishlegs. Wake up. This can't be real. I refuse to believe this is real.

"Son, we have to keep moving." Father put he is arm around my shoulder, dragging me along.

"What is happening dad? Why can't I feel my legs? Why are the walls spinning?" It was only then that I felt it, the churning in my stomach, the lump in my throat, then I fell.

"Fishlegs, wake up. Wake up." This was the second time my dad had shook me awake. I looked around but only the light flicker of a torch lightened up the dark passageway. As the flame burned, I could only make silhouettes in the background. I could see my father, knelt at my side. His sword, coated red with blood. This isn't a nightmare. This is actually real. No. No. No this isn't real.

"What happened father, where am I?" I panted, my heart pounding so fast I could barely breath.

"You passed out son, you always did go a bit lightheaded at the sight of blood." He said with a chuckle. If I wasn't hyperventilating, I might have joined him. With struggle, I forced myself to my feet. My knees buckled once more, but with one of the soldiers supporting my shoulder, and father with the other, I was carried me deeper and deeper into the castle. The light from the torch, the only relief from the relenting darkness.

"Nearly there now son, be strong, you always were."

"Father, what is going on, where are we going?"

"I'm not going anywhere son, this is my castle and I will fight to my last breath to protect it, to protect you. But you. You need to go. It isn't safe here anymore."

"At least tell me why, why is this happening?"

"It's your uncle Drago, he's rallied the men against us. He's always hated me but this, I never expected this. He's commandeered most of the forces and he's… he's came to kill us."

"KILL US? What? Why? What did we ever do to him?"

"We need to keep moving son. The reasons don't matter just come on." He pleaded.

"No. I need to know. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me." I said defiantly, digging my heels into the ground so we slid to a halt.

"Son, stop being…"

"… Tell me. Now." I demanded

"Okay, but we need to keep moving. Start walking and I'll tell you. I promise. We can't afford to stop." He said pleadingly. I nodded and the seven of us once more began to move forward. "It's all my fault, son. He blames me for the death of your mother."

"You told me she died in childbirth, that's not your fault dad."

"To him, it was as if I had plunged a sword into her heart myself." He said sorrowfully. "He had loved your mother for years, but as the heir to the house Ingerman she was promised to me. When father died, your mother was eight months pregnant. I took over as lord and one month later you were born. When she didn't make it through your birth, I saw the look in his eyes when I told him what happened to her. After father's passing he was hurt. After her's, he was broken. Broken into a monster of hate and contempt. He was never the same after that."

I could see the sadness in his eyes. The fond childhood memories he had with his brother that he'd tell me as stories when I was younger had turned to dust. He turned to me, gritted his teeth, and pushed on. Reaching the end of the tunnel, we found ourselves at a junction. A small dock awaited us, with a small rowboat bobbing at the edge. Barely big enough for one man, let alone the seven of us that were here.

"Where are the other boats father? This can't be it!" Still a bit drowsy, the world still spinning slightly, I looked over to see my dad kneel by the boat and place his sword on the ground.

"Get in the boat son, I'll hold it steady."

"But father, wh…"

"Get. In. The. Boat." He interrupted coldly.

I steadied myself, placing my pack in the front half of the boat. I placed the oars to one side and sat on the wooden seat barely wider than the breadth of my shoulders. I looked up to see my dad kneeling on the stone beside me. He picked up the sword with two hands, caressing the handle with his thumb, before turning it so the handle was within my grasp.

"This is yours now son, it will protect you, as it has protected me. Keep it safe, and safe, it will keep you."

"I can't accept this father, this is yours." I said, keeping my arm by my side

"Meatlug is our family sword. I can't let Drago have it. It is now, and will always be. Yours." He said softly, reaching close, and almost forcing it into my hand.

"But it's valerian steel, I am not worthy of it." I said disparagingly, yet still running my fingers along the golden hilt.

"You have always made me proud son, one day you will return here and restore order to house Ingerman. This sword will remind you of your family, and your home; we will always be with you." With those last words I took hold of the weapon, now fully enclosing my hand around the handle. He gave a soft, genuine smile, and then started to untie to rope which was keeping the boat docked.

"You know our words son."

"As one we stand."

"As one we stand," he repeated, tears building up in his eyes. The final knot undone, he pushed me off from the edge. "As one we stand. If we are ever parted those words show us that we are never alone. No matter if we are all that is left, we will always be together. I love you son, I will always love you." As the boat drifted further and further from him, I saw him give me a last, fading smile, as he and his men turned towards the passageway.

"BROTHER. BROTHERRRRRRRR. I KNOW YOU'RE DOWN HERE!" The booming voice echoing through the passageways. Closer and closer.

"Go son. GO!" Father yelled, and I set off. I closed my eyes and rowed. Only opening them at the sound of clashing swords. One by one, my father's men fell. Fifteen men had been slain, at least ten of my uncle's men had suffered the ultimate cost for their betrayal., but father was alone now, at the edge, with his back to the drop and the water. Then I saw him. Drago. Emerging from behind a dozen more of his men, he stepped over the pile of bodies until he was only yards from father. Father looked at me and smiled, then turned to his brother. I couldn't hear the words, but I saw the look of resignation in his eyes as he smiled at me. He turned to face Drago, standing up proudly as his younger brother loomed closer, eyes locked.

Before I had time to think. It was done. Drago's dagger plunged deep in my father's chest.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I shrieked.

The tears now streaming down my face, father dropped to his knees. Drago's smile piercing a hole deep into my soul. With a quick motion, he stepped forward and forced my father off the edge of the dock with the base of his boot. I watched him fall, as if time had stopped, then heard the almighty thud as he hit the water. Drago turned to face me. He was far away now but I could still make out his devilish smirk, as the madman laughed victoriously.

"You will pay for this," I whispered under my breath, my entire body shaking to the core. I looked down to see the blood dripping from my hands. I don't know when I grabbed the blade, but the steel had sliced across my palm.

"I will avenge you father, I promise".